Sophia smirked, nudging Caria with her elbow. "Told you he wasn't just another lucky swordsman."
Caria rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. "Yeah, yeah. Guess I owe you that bet."
Rhys tilted his head. "Bet?"
Aria chuckled. "Nothing serious. We just wondered if you'd pick up on the mana sync before the seventh boss. Most don't."
Rhys sheathed his sword, the faint glow along its edge fading. "Guess I ruined your wager, then."
"Not ruined," Aria said, her grin widening. "Just made it more interesting."
The wind shifted again—this time colder, carrying with it a deep, rhythmic vibration that pulsed through the ground beneath their feet. The swamp's mist swirled unnaturally, as if drawn by invisible threads toward the south.
Sophia's smile faded. "That's… not normal. The mana sync's accelerating."
Caria's expression darkened. "It's drawing energy faster than before. Could the serpent be acting as a conduit?"
